From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Oct 30): SALUTE | Fleet-Marine Team rendered military honors to the fallen Marine Soldiers

NAVAL STATION ROMULO ESPALDON, Zamboanga City (DWDD) – Fleet-Marine Team from Naval Forces Western Mindanao and Combat Service Support Brigade rendered military honors to the remains of Private First Class Jeremy Mark B Dulnuan PN (M) and Private First Class Archie B Ramos PN (M), both students of the 64th Marine Company FRC CL 23/24.

On the next day, same honors were rendered by the Command to the remains of Cpl Jay Ar A Nogodula PN (M), from the 64th Marine Company. The family of Cpl Nogudula were also present during the ceremony.

On the 29th, the men and women of NFWM and CSSBde manned the rail as the cadavers of the three fallen marine heroes depart the naval station.

The three Marine Soldiers were killed-in-action during an encounter last Oct 26 with the Abu Sayyaf Group in Brgy Timpook, Patikul, Sulu while conducting Focused Military Operations in the area.

The Philippine Navy with the Philippine Marine Corps and the AFP as a whole condoles with the bereaved family of the marine heroes who bravely sacrificed their lives to end the fight against terrorism and extremism. It is assured that their heroism and sacrifice will never be in vain, the government to remain steadfast and committed in its fight to attain lasting peace not only in Mindanao but of the entire country.

MA XIE NAVAL BASE, Zhanjiang, China (DWDD) – The Philippine Navy, through the Naval Task Group 88, got the highest score during the Communications Drill led by the People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) conducted during the last day of the sea sub-phase last 26 October 2018.

The scores were announced Saturday, October 27, 2018 during the After-Action Assessment at the Ma Xie Naval Base, Zhanjiang, China.

This was then followed by the Closing Ceremony with VADM Wang Hai, the Commander of the Naval Forces Southern Theatre Command as the speaker. NPAO / MCAG

From the often pro-CPP online publication the Davao Today (Oct 29): Family of missing woman plead to abductors to return her safe

The family of a community leader abducted over the Army’s suspicion that she was linked to the New People’s Army has appealed to her abductors to return her saying she has a heart condition.

“I ask those who took my wife, please release her. She has heart failure and too old to suffer. If she has violations, then she should face it in court. Not like this,” said Juan Hayahay, the husband of Imelda who was taken from their house at 10: 30 pm on October 15.

Witnesses said eight armed men with bonnets on their faces took her mother.Juan said he was at work when it happened.

Jeany Rose Hayahay, a teacher Community Technical College of Southeastern Mindanao, and one of the children, said her brothers and sisters who were present during the incident overheard the abductors as saying they would communicate with the family to ask ransom of only P5,000 or to surrender the “teacher”, referring to her.

The abducted woman was the parent-leader of the conditional cash transfer program, called 4PS, and a barangay health worker in their community in Purok 1, Star Apple, Barangay Pindasan, Municipality of Mabini, Compostela Valley Province.

Jeany Rose disclosed that her abduction was likely related to the Army accusation in the past that her mother was a supporter of the NPA.

In 2002, soldiers of the 72nd infantry battalion raided their house, and again in 2006 and in 2010.

A neighbor who Jeany Rose would not name claimed she saw the incident and told the family there were “military personnel who accompanied the eight men” who took Imelda.

On October 23, Jeany Rose’s siblings ask for mayor’s help where they were facilitated for a talk with Lt. Steven Docusin a commanding officer of the 71st IB who told them that “their mother is in good hands”

The Hayahay family said it suspected that the abduction of Imelda Hayahay was in connection with Jeany Rose’s activity as a volunteer teacher for indigenous children in (CTCSM). The government military has linked these schools to the NPA.

The Hugpong sa mga Mag-uuma sa Walog Compostela (HUMAWAC), a provincial organization of farmers, affiliated with the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), said the case of Imelda Hayahay was the first case of enforced disappearance in the region under President Rodrigo Duterte’s watch.

HUMAWAC secretary-general Noli Villanueva told Davao today that the organization has already lost 40 farmers to the Army attacks on its membership.

“Hayahay has been missing since October 15, as to the motive and pattern of this covert-type of operation, there’s no one that we can pinpoint as the perpetrators but the AFP particularly the 71st Infantry Battalion Philippine Army as part of their area of operation. These are cowardly and terroristic acts” said Villanueva.

The chief of civil security of Moises Padilla Mayor Magdaleno “Magsie” Peña was shot dead by alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA) around 1:40 p.m. on Sunday in Sitio Mamballo in Moises Padilla in Negros Occidental.

Police disclosed that the victim was riding his black Rouser 200 motorcycle going to the municipal proper, when he was blocked and shot to death by two unidentified gunmen using an unknown caliber of short firearms.

Four other suspects allegedly served as lookouts for the killing and quickly fled the scene after the incident.

The victim sustained gunshot wounds to his head, as well as different parts of his body.

He was immediately brought to Isabela District Hospital for medical treatment but he was pronounced DOA (dead on arrival) by the attending physician.

Police are still investigating the motive for the incident and are looking into the possible identification and arrest of the suspects.

From the Philippine Star (Oct 29): A closer look at 'bungkalan', the supposedly sinister plot

Following the murder of nine farmers last week in Sagay City, President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, warned those occupying idle lands and housing units that they would shoot and arrest them.

“My orders to the police and the soldiers, shoot them. If they resist violently, shoot them. If they die, I do not care,” Duterte said in a speech, alluding to it being a plan by the New People's Army.

“I will tell the Left, the communists, ‘Do not do it ever again because I have issued an order to the police and to the Armed Forces. If you continue to occupy a property just what happened in Bacolod, I said, this time I will order your arrest,” Duterte said.

The president echoed the earlier statement of Gen. Carlito Galvez, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief, who said on Thursday, October 25, that the killings were part of a devious plot known as “Oplan Bungkalan,” which he said is part of an alleged destabilization plot allegedly aimed at taking down the Duterte administration.

According to Galvez, “We know that the international community is coming here, so they really hatched these plans. There’s a sinister plot”

Human rights group Karapatan countered the allegation in a press statement by Friday, October 26, and said the farmers were only practicing "bungkalan," a regular agricultural activity by farmers during the Tiempo Muerto (dead season), a lean time between planting and harvest.

Bungkalan and Tiempo Muerte

For most plantation workers in the country’s sugar bowl in the Western Visayas, bungkalan is something less nefarious and has been a practice for decades to make use of idle lands —especially during the Tiempo Muerto.

According to National Federation of Sugar Workers’-Negros chairman Rolando Rillo, the practice of tilling idle lands to grow shorter-term crops has been around since 1971. Its current form has been practiced on Negros island since 2009.

Rillo told Philstar.com in a phone interview in Filipino that “workers are placed on lands that fall under the current collective bargaining agreement (CBA).” He did not elaborate.

Lands used in the bungkalan are arranged by an arrendador (leasing agent), who then allows them to grow crops like monggo, corn, or cassava.

They said he allegedly knew of the farmers' plans to cultivate the land, and is a relative of Sagay Mayor Alfredo Marañon III, Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Maranon Jr. and landowner Carmen Tolentino.

According to Rillo, the farmers were only using a section of the land that wasn’t being used to grow sugarcane. He also said the sugar workers were not claiming the land as their own.

The Tiempo Muerto can be anywhere between April and October (depending on the year). Because there is no harvest during that time, farmers are not earning. Cultivating the land on a temporary basis allows farmers to earn income while waiting for the sugarcane harvest.

In a separate press statement, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas chairperson Danilo Ramos "said land occupation and cultivation activities are not coercive and, in fact, are collective efforts of farmers to assert genuine land reform." He said that farmers cultivate idle land for food crops.

Ramos said that there are 10,000 cases of Certificates of Land Ownership Award cancellations pending at the Department of Agrarian Reform and farmers would die of hunger from waiting for the government's land reform program to reach them.

"Farmers got old and sick following up their land cases at DAR but they never got to own the land that they have been tilling for decades," Ramos said.

"Farmers took it upon themselves to realize genuine land reform through collective land cultivation," he also said.

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-Negros, in a separate statement, said “the bungkalan is “an assertion of the farmers for land use, it is also a just and legitimate call for the government to resolve the decades-long agrarian unrest in the country.”

KMP: 7 of 10 farmers tilling land they do not own

Rillo said he was saddened upon hearing Duterte’s statement to shoot or arrest farmers “illegally occupying” farm lands.

“It’s really disappointing to hear that from the president’s mouth. He knows how much we suffer, he’s talked about land distribution issues in the past. He’s turning small farmers into criminals. 'Bungkalan' is a big help to us and he knows this,” Rillo said.

Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, meanwhile, said the president had "virtually issued a shoot-to-kill order against farmers cultivating the land" with his remarks. "Seven out of ten farmers do not own the land they till. They are actually tilling lands that they do not own," he pointed out.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Sunday released a "warning" regarding the Communist Party of the Philippines' (CPP) supposed upcoming plans.

AFP spokesman Brigadier General Edgard Arevalo claimed that "Oplan Bungkalan," which he linked to the Sagay massacre, will be carried out by the communist group in other parts of the country.

"We have forewarned anew the managements of three haciendas nationwide that are targets of the CPP-NPA’s 'Oplan Bungkalan'. And that if that happens, we advised them to resolve the same peacefully. We have alerted AFP and counterpart PNP units in those locations and intensified our intelligence monitoring," Arevalo said.

" 'Oplan Okupasyon' will also be conducted in another city in Central Visayas. 'Oplan Aklasan,' on the other hand, will be in full swing in two companies in Southern Tagalog," he added.

In his statement, Arevalo maintained that the CPP-NPA should be held responsible for the massacre.

"NFSW cadres brought the victims to the place of their demise. And for that, the leaders should be liable as the trigger-men themselves (in case the trigger men were not their members) as principals to the crime by indispensable cooperation," Arevalo said.

Arevalo also said that the military has seized NPA documents containing the details about an alleged plot to oust President Rodrigo Duterte.

" 'Oplan Bungkalan at Okupasyon' is part of the many other Oplans they laid out in their Red October plot contained in the NPA documents that the AFP has seized," he said.

The AFP also said it has discovered some of the armed group's codes for planned small unit attacks, including "Supermarket" for targeting PNP stations/AFP detachments to gain firearms; "Casino" for operations targeting assets and intelligence operatives; "Bulldozer" for attacks on mining companies and the burning of heavy equipment for the government’s high-impact projects; and "Tabasco" for the targeting of suspected “Tokhang” agents/EJK suspects.

"The AFP and other security forces with the support of our people will frustrate the plans of this communist terrorist group," Arevalo said.

He made this statement following reports in the U.S. that explosive devices were mailed to former President Barack Obama, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and to the building housing CNN's offices in New York.

Galvez called for vigilance, directing all concerned government agencies to be alert for similar attacks.

"We have to be vigilant, really be very vigilant especially the different agencies like the Postmaster General, and also yung sa ating Customs, sa BI (Bureau of Immigration), etc." Galvez said.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said the incident in the U.S. should be an "eye-opener" for the Philippines.

Some believe U.S. President Donald Trump's public tirades against Democrats and the media may be promoting hate toward these subjects.

Despite this development, Malacañang said President Rodrigo Duterte, who is also known for his tough talk against critics and human rights advocates, will not change his ways.

"For one, he's been in office for the last two years and we have not known of any incident similar to what is happening in the States," Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a press briefing. "I think the President will never change his style."

From Rappler (Oct 29): China lost to PH in court. Will it win via joint exploration?

The proposed joint exploration of the West Philippine Sea is a key issue expected during Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's unprecedented trip to Davao City

TOP DIPLOMATS. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr pose for photographs during the opening of the Chinese consulate in Davao City on October 28, 2018. Photo by Manman Dejeto/Rappler

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's Philippine trip from Sunday to Monday, October 28 to 29, is the latest in back-and-forth meetings between Manila and Beijing as they push for joint exploration of the West Philippine Sea.

In such arrangement, the Philippines and China will jointly explore and later exploit the West Philippine Sea for oil and natural gas. The problem is, who will get the lion's share of the profits, and whose rules will prevail?

Experts view joint exploration as a way for China to redeem itself after losing the South China Sea case filed by the Philippines at The Hague. What China failed to win in court, will it now win through joint exploration?

These meetings take place on Monday at Marco Polo Hotel in Davao City. (Watch statements from the meetings, as well as joint conference by Wang and Locsin, live on Rappler.)

China: 'Indisputable sovereignty' How extensively will Wang and Filipino officials tackle joint exploration in their meetings on Monday? Is the Philippines about to sign a framework for joint exploration of the West Philippine Sea?

It is worth watching how China will position itself in joint exploration because it has long asserted "indisputable sovereignty" over islands in the West Philippine Sea and their surrounding waters.

In the words of the Aquino-era Department of Foreign Affairs, this is the "unequivocal message" of the Chinese: "Tanggapin ninyo na amin ang buong South China Sea bago tayo mag-usap." (You should first accept that the whole South China Sea is ours before we can even talk.)

Cayetano, during his term, repeatedly allayed fears about joint exploration and joint development. He said the Philippines is pursuing a possible "60-40" profit-sharing arrangement that favors Filipinos.

Philippines: 'Exclusive' economic zonePhilippine Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, a leading expert on the West Philippine Sea, earlier said the Philippine Constitution bans joint development within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.

Carpio said in July 2016: "The exclusive economic zone is called 'exclusive' because it is exclusive to the coastal state, to the Philippines. That's why you cannot have joint development with another country because international law and national law have said it's exclusive."

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi pushes for joint development between the Philippines and China 'without prejudice to each other's sovereign claim'

TOP DIPLOMATS. Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr (left) and Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi share a light moment during the latter's official visit in Davao City, Philippines, on October 29, 2018. Photo by Manman Dejeto/Rappler

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The Philippines and China can shelve their maritime claims for the sake of joint development in the West Philippine Sea, said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday, October 29, in a press conference here.

"China is ready to further discuss with the Philippines about joint development of oil and gas in the South China Sea, to shelve differences and pursue joint development," Wang said in a joint press conference at the end of his two-day trip to Davao City.

Joint development refers to the proposal to jointly extract oil and natural gas in the South China Sea, part of which is the West Philippine Sea. In July 2016, an international tribunal upheld the Philippines' rights over the West Philippine Sea, but China continues to assert its claim over these waters.

Experts view joint development as a way for China to redeem itself after losing the South China Sea case filed by the Philippines at The Hague. As a Wall Street Journal headline states, "China poised to win major victory in sea dispute with help of Philippine resources deal." (READ: China lost to PH in court. Will it win via joint exploration?)

Wang noted that more than 3 decades ago, joint development was first proposed to the Philippines by the late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping. He said that "this proposal contains political wisdom."

Energy shortage cited

"If our two countries can have joint development without prejudice to each other's sovereign claim, that will help resolve the potential energy shortage of the Philippines," Wang said.

"It will also provide a practical way for China and the Philippines to properly handle their related differences. It can also set an example for similar cooperation between china and other coastal countries," he added.

It remains to be seen how China can achieve this. China, after all, asserts "indisputable sovereignty" over South China Sea islands and their surrounding waters.

Philippine Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, a leading expert on the West Philippine Sea, earlier said the Philippine Constitution bans joint development within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.

Carpio said in July 2016: "The exclusive economic zone is called 'exclusive' because it is exclusive to the coastal state, to the Philippines. That's why you cannot have joint development with another country because international law and national law have said it's exclusive."

From Rappler (Oct 29): Soldiers in Customs? But Constitution bars civilian assignments for military

Section 5(4), Article XVI specifically says no member of the armed forces shall, at any time, be appointed or designated in any capacity to a civilian position

MILITARY TAKEOVER? President Rodrigo wants a military takeover of the Bureau of Customs following scandals of billions worth of shabu getting past the bureau's watch for two consecutive years. Photo by Rappler

Section 5(4), Article XVI of the 1987 Constitution says: “No member of the armed forces in the active service shall, at any time, be appointed or designated in any capacity to a civilian position in the Government including government-owned or controlled corporations or any of their subsidiaries.”

Presidential Spokesman and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo said on Monday, October 29, that they expect the military to take only one week to “learn the ropes of the game in Customs.”

The move is part of an attempt to solve the smuggling problem in Customs, following the succession of scandals involving the entry into Philippine ports of shabu (methamphetamine).

Defending the move of Malacañang, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said members of the military will be at the BOC temporarily.

“But they will only be detailed or seconded for a limited period of time, not appointed or designated,” Guevarra said.

Malacañang has not released any written order yet. If Guevarra's reasoning is to be followed, we pointed out to him that the formal document should not mention the words “appoint or designate.”

Wording of the Constitution

We also pointed out that the Constitutional provision says no member of the armed forces shall be appointed to a civilian position “at any time” and “in any capacity.” Does the provision cover those who will be detailed even on a temporary basis?

“The temporary detail/secondment orders will be issued by the relevant AFP/BOC units, not by the Office of the President. Details and secondments do not involve any new designations or appointments, so 'any time' is irrelevant. ‘In any capacity' is also irrelevant for the same reason,” Guevarra said.

Asked which office would release the order, and if the President would sign it, Guevarra pointed to Panelo for further questions on implementation.

“Certainly not, because the BOC chief is a civilian; the BOC is under the Department of Finance (DOF); and the DOF is under the President,” said the justice secretary.

Guevarra invoked Article VII, Section 17 of the Constitution which says the President controls all executive departments – such as the BOC – and mandates him to “ensure that the laws be faithfully executed.”

“Putting the Bureau of Customs under the watchful eye of the AFP is a temporary measure to ensure that massive entry of illegal drugs, which threatens public safety, is immediately stopped. The bureau is headed by retired General Rey Guerrero, who is now a civilian,” Guevarra said.

Another provision in the Constitution, Article VII, Section 18 says, "The President shall be the Commander-in-Chief of all armed forces of the Philippines and whenever it becomes necessary, he may call out such armed forces to prevent or suppress lawless violence, invasion or rebellion...."

But even given this provision, "lawless violence, invasion or rebellion" is non-existent in the Customs bureau to justify calling out the armed forces.

'Whether or not it is legally binding, any document we have signed, we will strictly abide by it and firmly implement it,' says Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi

TOP DIPLOMAT. Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi answers questions from the press after his meeting with Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr in Davao City, Philippines on October 29, 2018. Photo by Manman Dejeto/Rappler

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi assured the Philippines on Monday, October 29, that China will strictly follow a proposed code of conduct in the disputed South China Sea whether or not the document is legally binding.

"Whether or not it is legally binding, any document we have signed, we will strictly abide by it and firmly implement it," Wang said.

Wang was responding to a question on whether China and Southeast Asian countries, including the Philippines, have decided if the proposed COC will be legally binding.

Before President Rodrigo Duterte came in, the Philippines envisioned the COC to be a legally binding document to replace the non-binding 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.

The Philippines' former foreign secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said in May 2017, however, that he is wary of a legally binding COC. He said he prefers the COC to first be a "gentleman's agreement" among claimant countries.

Cayetano's successor, Teodoro "Teddyboy" Locsin Jr, said he cannot give a "ready answer" on whether the COC should be legally binding.

To illustrate a point, Locsin cited the Global Compact on Migration, which the Philippines pushed for but the Europeans refused. "The best we could do is to say fine, it is not legally binding but it is the standard of conduct for how civilized nations treat migrants."

"And perhaps we will not be able to arrive at a legally binding COC," Locsin said, "but it will be the standard of how people of ASEAN, governments of ASEAN, will behave toward each other – always with honor, never with aggression, but with always mutual progress in mind."

Twenty former communist rebels in North Cotabato who opted to rejoin the mainstream society have completed a skills training program from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and are expected to soon become productive citizens.

Army 1Lt. Prolen Bonacua, commanding officer of Alpha Company, 19th Infantry Battalion, said in a radio interview here on Monday, the training for the 20 former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels from Magpet, North Cotabato, was a joint project of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, TESDA, local government units and Institute of Motorbike and Auto Mechanics Incorporated (IMAMI) through the national scholarship integration program of TESDA.

“They are now holders of National Certificate II (NC-2) and have received starter kits,” Bonacua said. He added that the former rebels-turned-skills learners also received monetary allowance while undergoing the six-month training at the TESDA training institute.

One of the graduates, who introduced himself as “James,” said he did not expect that the persons he considered as his enemies are the same people who would help him live a normal life.

“Salamat sa Army (Thanks to the Army),” he said.

In a separate interview, Lt. Col. Elrich Noel Paraso, 19th IB commander, urged other NPAs who remained in the mountains to come down, follow the path chosen by their former comrades and become productive citizens living peacefully with their families.

Lt. Col. Jonathan S. Manio, commanding officer of 1IB, said the troops were conducting Focused Military Operation (FMO), after receiving verified intelligence reports and information from concerned citizens of the NPA presence and its alleged extortion activities in the village, when the camp fell.

While scouring the area, they chanced upon 10 armed men believed to be members of the NPA Platoon Galaxy, Kilusang Larangan Guerilla Silangan, Sub-Regional Military Area (SRMA) 4C of the Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee under Janice Javier alias Salma, which triggered a 30-minute fire fight.

The gun battle resulted in the wounding of Corporal Richard Solayao and Pfc Jeffrey Balangoy, who incurred minor gunshot wounds in the hand and leg. Both are now in stable condition after medical treatment.

Government troops said there were casualties from the enemy side due to the traces of heavy blood stains at the battle site.

The troops seized the enemy camp after the NPA rebels retreated from the battle site while carryingtheir wounded comrades.

An M16 rifle, two anti-personnel mines, three bandoleers, five jungle packs and subversive enemy documents were recovered by the troops after the rebels abandoned the area.

Brig. Gen. Arnulfo Marcelo B Burgos Jr., Commander of the 202nd Brigade that has operational jurisdiction over Calabarzon, said the encounter is another major setback to the remaining NPAs in Batangas. The rebel group is now on the verge of collapse.

In another development, the Philippine Army’s 2nd Infantry “Jungle Fighter” Division (2ID) reported the surrender of an active NPA member Sunday to the troops of the 76th Infantry (Victrix) Battalion (76IB) in Occidental Mindoro.

Saba later revealed the arm cache of the NPA hidden and buried in the mountainous part of Purok Mamburao, Sitio Culasisi, Barangay Batongbuhay, Sablayan, Occ Mindoro.

Five serviceable M16 rifles were immediately recovered by the troops at the site.

In an interview, Saba said that he returned to the folds of law after three years of being an active NPA member, recruiter and extortionist after realizing that “what they were doing to the people is adverse to the ideology they believed.”

“Mali na ‘yong mga ginagawa namin, sir. Pahirap kami sa mga mamamayan. Marami na rin sa aking mga kasamahan sa loob ang nahihirapan at nais nang bumaba at batid na namin na mayroong magandang programa ang pamahalaan para sa aming pagbabalik loob (What we did were wrong, sir. We were a burden to the citizenry. Many of our comrades are already suffering difficulties and want to return to the mainstream after learning of the good programs of the government for our surrender and return to the fold of law), " he said.

Brig. Gen. Antonio G. Parlade Jr., commander of the 203rd Brigade in Mindoro, said the latest NPA surrenderer and recovery of five other high-powered firearms are clear manifestations that the localized peace negotiation with the rebels in the province and the Community Support Program (CSP) of the troops and the Local Government Unit (LGU) are effective.

Also, Maj. Gen. Rhoderick Parayno, commander of the Philippine Army's 2nd Infantry “Jungle Fighter” Division (2ID), lauded the efforts of the 76IB and the 1IB, especially the bravery of the wounded soldiers.

“We will relentlessly pursue these remnant terrorists until they are destroyed, caught or left no choice but surrender. We will treat their wounded and we will help those who choose to surrender like their former comrades who are now enjoying the benefits of ECLIP together with their families,” Parayno vowed.

Under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP), a former rebel can receive PHP15,000 immediate cash assistance, PHP50,000 livelihood assistance, firearms remuneration, have access to housing, loans, medical and legal assistance, among others. It also includes educational benefits, which can be extended to the rebel's immediate family members. http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1052438

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Monday said there is nothing improper in President Rodrigo Duterte's announcement to place the Bureau of Customs (BOC) under "military control".

"Putting the Bureau of Customs under the watchful eye of the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) is a temporary measure to ensure that massive entry of illegal drugs, which threaten public safety, is immediately stopped. The bureau is headed by retired General Rey Guerrero who is now a civilian," Guevarra said.

The justice chief said the measure does not violate the rule that civilian rule prevails over the military."(It) certainly (does) not (violate the Constitution), because the BOC chief is a civilian; the BOC is under the DOF (Department of Finance), and the DOF is under the President.

Last week, President Rodrigo Duterte announced the transfer of Customs chief Isidro Lapeña to the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and designated Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Administrator Rey Leonardo Guerrero to take over the bureau.

Duterte made the announcement in front of military and government officials, including Lapeña and Guerrero, during the 117th anniversary of the Philippine Coast Guard in Port Area, Manila on Thursday.

The change in the BOC's leadership came because of the issue on the PHP6.8-billion shabu shipment which allegedly slipped into the country through magnetic lifters.

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 29): AFP ‘acknowledges’ PRRD order to support BOC

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday announced that it has taken "cognizance" of President Rodrigo Duterte's order to support the Bureau of Customs (BOC) in the performances of its various tasks.

"We are fully supportive of the BOC Commissioner Rey Guerrero. We will provide to him the personnel that he needs for him to accomplish his very important and consequential mission," AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said in press briefing.

He added that the success of the former AFP chief staff redound to the benefit of the Filipinos and the country.

Guerrero, a member of Philippine Military Academy Class of 1984, was named to head the BOC following the transfer of its former head Isidro Lapeña to the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) amid the probe on smuggling of multi-billion shabu shipment into the country.

Prior to his appointment, Guerrero was administrator of the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina).

"Given the task, the AFP is preparing to meet the challenge head on and to measure up to the seat expectation of the President. The CSAFP (Chief-of-Staff, AFP) (General) Carlito Galvez. Jr. has ordered the staff of the GHQ (General Headquarters) to immediately constitute a contingent from the AFP which will be coming from the PAF (Philippine Air Force), from the Army, and from the Navy-Marines for ad interim detail to the Bureau," Arevalo disclosed.

Despite this, he said the AFP chief concurs with the statement and position of Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana that the assignment of AFP personnel at the BOC should be on a temporary basis only.

"Now considering the enormity of the challenges that will be facing the bureau, said personnel from the AFP should be of unquestionable integrity, of good repute and known competency and professionalism. The AFP is an institution committed to support other agencies of government like the BOC in pursuit of their mandated tasks that will benefit the Filipino people and the nation which the armed forces has sworn to protect and defend," Arevalo stressed.

He, however, declined to comment on the constitutionality and legality of the order.

"Yung (The) question ng (of) constitutionality and legality, I would like to leave that to the President's spokesperson. The AFP is just responding to the mandate given to us by the Commander-in-Chief," Arevalo said.

The military spokesperson added that there are no specific figures yet on the number of troops deployed to the BOC.

When asked on whether this will prove detrimental to the mandate of the AFP, Arevalo said: "we are, as the BOC is, in extraordinary times and this would require extraordinary contingency measures and approaches."

The visit of US Chief-of-Naval Operations, Admiral John Richardson, to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City gave both the Philippines and the United States a chance to discuss the importance of the two nations' alliance in the Indo-Pacific Region.

This was stressed by AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Carlito Galvez during the press briefing at the Aguinaldo Room of the AFP Commissioned Officers Club Monday.

"This gave us an opportunity to further discuss the importance of the Philippine-United States alliance in the Indo-Pacific Region. I am glad to say that we had fruitful discussion about the AFP and US Navy, MDB-SEB (Mutual Defense Board-Security Engagement Board) engagement, about the modernization of the Philippine Navy, efforts toward continuous regional security and stability and the future engagement opportunities with the US military," he added.

This includes training and technical support to improve Philippine maritime domain awareness capability.

Also, Richardson's visit is considered a high honor for the AFP as this marks the first time the US Navy flag-officer-in-command has visited the Philippines, the AFP chief said.

Galvez also took the opportunity to convey the AFP's gratitude to the US Armed Forces for their great help in the battle for Marawi, which without American assistance, the Filipino military would have suffered huge casualties.

Also, the AFP chief thanked the US for providing them military training opportunities, which boosted their capabilities. These include the recently-concluded "Rim of the Pacific" (RIMPAC) 2018 exercises, which the PN participated for the first time.

"The RIMPAC 2018 was the first time that our PN have engaged in this very meaningful and milestone for all our forces and we are very happy to report that the PN has the prestige now of really joining with the modern navies and we thank the Indo-Pacific commander and also our Navy chief for giving that opportunity for all of us," Galvez emphasized.

For his part, Richardson said the United States and the Philippines stand shoulder-to-shoulder in the pursuit of regional peace and stability.

"So it's very fitting that we sit here shoulder-to-shoulder. I sit here with Gen. Galvez when talking about our joint interests and earlier today I had a very productive meeting with (Vice) Admiral Robert Empedrad, flag-officer-in-command of (the) PN and this afternoon, I'm looking forward to travelling to Palawan to meet with Lt. Gen (Rozzano) Briguez," he added.

Also, the US naval official pointed out that for more than 70 years, the United States and the Philippines have remained steadfast friends, partners, and allies dedicated to ensuring security, order and prosperity throughout the region.

"Our relationship is built not just on shared values but also on strong people to people and societal ties and nowhere is that felt more than to military-to-military relationships so anytime that I have the opportunity to visit a maritime nation especially one that shares our vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific that day is a good day," he added.

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 29): Palace defends Duterte’s move to field military in BOC

Malacañang on Monday said President Rodrigo Duterte is authorized under the Constitution to ask the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to help the cleansing of graft-ridden Bureau Customs (BOC).

“The Constitution provides that the President is the head of government, the head of state and the commander in chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Now, the Constitution also provides that he has control over all executive offices, and BOC is one of them,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a Palace press briefing.

“Now, being the Commander-in-Chief, he is authorized under the law to direct the movements of the members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and in any manner, he deems it fit,” he added.

In Davao City last Sunday night, Duterte asked the military to replace all the BOC personnel amid probe on the PHP6.8 billion worth of shabu that slipped past the Customs.

Duterte said "dirty games" being played by corrupt Customs personnel have prompted him to ask the AFP to take over the BOC.

"They will be replaced, all of them, by military men. It will be a takeover of the Armed Forces in the matter of operating, in the meantime, while we are sorting out how to effectively meet the challenges of corruption in this country," Duterte said.

Duterte has also put "everybody" in the BOC in floating status and required them to report directly to the Office of the President.

“There was really a continuous play of corruption in the lower echelons of the Customs Bureau,” Duterte said in his speech during the Thanksgiving dinner of former Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano.

Several indigenous people (IP) from Mindanao gathered on Monday in front of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and the University of the Philippines in Quezon City to express strong opposition against the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA).Representatives from several ethnic groups cited the left's atrocities against the IPs, including rape, extortion through the collection of revolutionary taxes, and land grabbing of their ancestral domains.

An IP claiming, he was then an NPA recruit also admitted that it was the movement that brought rifts among the Lumads.

Meanwhile, another IP also called for the continuance of martial law in Mindanao as a deterrent to the CPP-NPA.

In May 2017, President Rodrigo Duterte placed Mindanao under martial law, following the bloody Marawi siege. It was extended until December 2018 due to the danger that uprising could spread in other parts of Mindanao.

The condemnation rally was in line with the country's observation of the National Indigenous People's month and was part of the Indigenous People Alliance Against Terrorism's (IPAAT) five-day rally in Metro Manila.

Malacañang has denied Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Joma Sison’s accusation that President Rodrigo Duterte is ‘hell-bent’ on declaring martial law before the 2019 mid-term elections to ensure he stays in power.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Duterte has repeatedly and consistently assured he won’t stay in office a day longer than his term, which will end on June 30, 2022.

He said Dutere has even expressed willingness to cut short his term of office should the proposal to the shift to federalism will be adopted by Congress before 2022.

“The remarks, therefore, of Mr. Jose Ma. Sison that PRRD would declare a nationwide martial law to ensure his stay in power is downright ludicrous,” he said.

Panelo said Sison has been “foisting martial law bogey” for more than a year now as part of his psywar campaign against the Duterte administration.

“All his forecasts have fallen flat on the ground. This just shows that Mr. Sison, who has spent almost three decades of high living in Europe, simply lost his marbles and is already out-of-touch of the political realities in the Philippines,” Panelo said.

Panelo, who is also Chief Presidential Legal Counsel, said martial law can only be proclaimed under the conditions outlined by the Constitution.

“President Duterte has articulated in numerous occasions that he would not impose martial rule unless so required by the command of the Constitution,” he said.

He said Sison has obviously lost the leadership of the communist cadre “as its hardcore leaders have not enforced the pre-conditions agreed upon for the resumption of peace talks”.

“With the lack of support from these leaders who are now woke of their unfair relationship with him, he is now left with just issuing rehash statements from the safe and comfortable environment of his exile,” Panelo said.

Though Mindanao remains under martial law due to last year’s five-month Marawi siege, the Palace had earlier assured that Duterte is not inclined to declare martial law nationwide.

The military had claimed the communists are just trying to create chaos to force Duterte to declare martial law.

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 29): BRP Dagupan City's voyage home delayed due to 'Rosita'

The Philippine Navy (PN) logistic support vessel, the BRP Dagupan City (LS-551), and the 200-man contingent aboard her will postpone their voyage home due to the effects of Typhoon Rosita (international name Yutu).

This was disclosed by Naval Task Force 88 head Commander Sherwin Respeto in a statement late Sunday.

The BRP Dagupan City is the PN ship that participated in the first-ever ASEAN-China Maritime Exercise in Zhanjiang, China that took place last Oct. 21 to 28.

”Based on the latest weather forecast, typhoon 'Yutu' will pass through the course set to be taken by BRP Dagupan City (LS-551) if it leaves for the Philippines as earlier scheduled. With the PN putting the safety of the contingent and ship as its highest priority, the arrival of the BRP Dagupan City will be moved until it gets more favorable weather conditions," he added.

Earlier, ships of other participating nations in ACMEX 2018 left Ma Xie Naval Base in Zhanjiang. The People's Liberation Army-Navy conducted the farewell ceremonies for the naval vessels of Brunei, Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore.

The PN’s participation in ACMEX 2018 conveys its commitment in promoting multilateral cooperation. It is an affirmation of its commitment incollaborating with other navies in the pursuit of peace and stability in the maritime region.

BRP Dagupan City and the 200-man contingent aboard her left Sangley Point, Cavite last Oct. 17, arriving in Zhiangjiang, China on the 20th.

The ship has a displacement of 4,265 tons at full load, is 273 feet long, has a draft of 12 feet and has a top speed of 12 knots. It was commissioned in PN service during the 1990s.

Earlier, Defense spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said the proposal for a joint ASEAN and Chinese naval exercise was submitted during the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting in Singapore last February.

The fingerprints of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) and their allies are all over the Oct. 20 incident, which caused the death of nine farmer-recruits in Sagay City, Negros Occidental, a military spokesperson said Sunday.

"Amidst the denial of the CPP-NPA and their affiliate organization NFSW (National Federation of Sugar Workers) their fingerprints, so to speak, are all over the shooting incident in Sagay, Negros Occidental where nine unsuspecting fresh recruits were slain," Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said in a statement forwarded to reporters.

While the Philippine National Police is investigating to determine who are the exact perpetrators of the killings, what is known so far, based on official police reports, is that NFSW cadres brought the victims to the place of their demise, he added.

"And for that, the leaders should be liable as the trigger-men themselves (in case the trigger men were not their members) as principals to the crime by indispensable cooperation," Arevalo stressed.

He added the Oct. 20 incident is a classic “Oplan Bungkalan at Okupasyon”. “Bungakalan” is what happened in Sagay, Negros Occidental; and “Okupasyon” is what happened in Pandi, Bulacan when urban poor group Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) forcibly took over housing units intended for other beneficiaries.

" 'Oplan Bungkalan at Okupasyon' is part of the many other Oplans they laid out in their 'Red October' plot contained in the NPA documents that the AFP has seized," Arevalo added. If one isn’t satisfied, just consider the same criminal pattern of the CPP-NPA that were shown in the incidents in Hacienda Luisita; in Escalante, Negros Occidental; in Plaza Miranda, and in Kidapawan," the AFP spokesperson stressed.

"They are not stopping. The cited incidents are not going to be the last if we, as a nation, will not stop them. If we will not heed the warning," he pointed out.

Part of the military seized documents include “koda” (codes) for their planned small unit attacks on soft targets:

"The CPP-NPA’s excuse that they are not capable of winning over the AFP or of overthrowing government, militarily, — while true— could be deceiving. They have mastered the art of deception. Because they have perfected the art of having unsuspecting people killed in their stead," Arevalo said.

In line with this development, the AFP spokesperson said that they have warned the managements of three haciendas nationwide that are targets of the CPP-NPA’s “Oplan Bungkalan”.

Should these incidents happen, Arevalo advised the haciendas to resolve the issue peacefully.

"We have alerted AFP and counterpart PNP units in those locations and intensified our intelligence monitoring," he added.

Also, Arevalo said that “Oplan Okupasyon” will be conducted in another city in Central Visayas while “Oplan Aklasan”, on the other hand, will be in full swing in two companies in Southern Tagalog.

"The CPP-NPA will not stop their dastardly plans hence we have forewarned all concerned. These said, the AFP and other security forces with the support of our people will frustrate the plans of these communist terrorist group," he concluded. http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1052370